Mang Tani on PHL natural disasters: We are resilient, but not always prepared

GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz minces no words when talking about disaster preparedness.

 

"Ang bansa ay nasa superhighway ng bagyo," Mang Tani said, addressing a crowd of over a thousand students from across the country gathered at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Theater on Oct. 19.

 

The forum was organized the the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.

 

Mang Tani also emphasized that, because the Philippines is also within the Pacific Ring of Fire, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common facts of life.   

^{GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz fields questions from his audience.}  

Resiliency vs preparedness

 

In the latest United Nations University World Disasters Report, the country sits at the third spot for the most disaster-prone nation in the world, next to Pacific island-states Vanuatu and Tonga. (See report here.)

 

Mang Tani noted that, because Filipinos are used to calamities, citizens are resilient enough to face them every time.

 

"Kayang-kaya nating tumayo pagkatapos ng isang disaster," said Mang Tani, citing that some Americans committed suicide after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. (See related report here.)

 

However, Mang Tani lamented the general lack of preparation against calamities in the first place.

 

He said that everyone should develop a mindset of preparedness.

 

"Kapag walang bagyo, kampante (lang) ang tao," he pointed out.

 

Formula for preparedness

 

But he noted that accurate weather forecasts are not enough to prepare for a disaster.

 

"Hazard plus vulnerability equals disaster," said Mang Tani during his presentation.

 

He explained that, in order for people to prepare for any disaster, one must first identify the hazard —be it an earthquake, flood, storm, or other occurrence.

 

Second, one must assess the community's vulnerability, keeping in mind that many urban poor people live within hazard-prone areas —by the river banks, along mountain slopes, among others.

 

Mang Tani said that this helps to frame the impact of the calamity.

 

Media's role

 

But the resident meteorologist emphasized the need for accurate information so as to adequately prepare for disasters.

 

He explained that media's role in disaster preparedness is vital, as they serve as the bridge between the weather forecast —in cases of storm surges, monsoon rains, and floods— and the public at large.

 

"Pagdating sa disaster preparedness, it is not enough that we have accurate forecast. Ang pinakamahalaga, 'yung information na iyon, nakakarating sa end user," said Mang Tani.

 

He also said that proper and fast information dissemination is the key to minimize the impact of any disaster.

 

In any case, Mang Tani said that the public must always be ready to face any calamity.

 

"Disaster will (always) be part of our lives," Mang Tani reminded his audience. — TJD, GMA News